Florida Probate Rules
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FLORIDA PROBATE RULES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CITATIONS TO OPINIONS ADOPTING OR AMENDING RULES
PART I — GENERAL
RULE 5.010.SCOPE
RULE 5.015.GENERAL DEFINITIONS
RULE 5.020.PLEADINGS; VERIFICATION; MOTIONS
RULE 5.025.ADVERSARY PROCEEDINGS
RULE 5.030.ATTORNEYS
RULE 5.040.NOTICE
RULE 5.041.SERVICE OF PLEADINGS AND DOCUMENTS
RULE 5.042.TIME
RULE 5.043.DEPOSIT OF WILLS AND CODICILS
RULE 5.050.TRANSFER OF PROCEEDINGS
RULE 5.060.REQUEST FOR NOTICES AND COPIES OF
PLEADINGS
RULE 5.065.NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION OR ANCILLARY
ADMINISTRATION
RULE 5.080.DISCOVERY AND SUBPOENA
RULE 5.095.GENERAL AND SPECIAL MAGISTRATES
RULE 5.100.RIGHT OF APPEAL
RULE 5.110.ADDRESS DESIGNATION FOR PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE OR GUARDIAN; DESIGNATION OF RESIDENT
AGENT AND ACCEPTANCE
RULE 5.120.ADMINISTRATOR AD LITEM AND GUARDIAN AD
LITEM
RULE 5.122.CURATORS
RULE 5.150.ORDER REQUIRING ACCOUNTING
RULE 5.160.PRODUCTION OF ASSETS
RULE 5.170.EVIDENCE
RULE 5.171.EVIDENCE OF DEATH
RULE 5.180.WAIVER AND CONSENT
PART II — PROBATE
RULE 5.200.PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATION
RULE 5.201.NOTICE OF PETITION FOR ADMINISTRATION
RULE 5.205.FILING EVIDENCE OF DEATH
RULE 5.210.PROBATE OF WILLS WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION... 84
RULE 5.215.AUTHENTICATED COPY OF WILL
RULE 5.216.WILL WRITTEN IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
RULE 5.230.COMMISSION TO PROVE WILL
RULE 5.235.ISSUANCE OF LETTERS, BOND
RULE 5.240.NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
RULE 5.2405. SERVICE OF NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION ON
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
RULE 5.241.NOTICE TO CREDITORS
RULE 5.260.CAVEAT; PROCEEDINGS
RULE 5.270.REVOCATION OF PROBATE
RULE 5.275.BURDEN OF PROOF IN WILL CONTESTS
RULE 5.310.DISQUALIFICATION OF PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE; NOTIFICATION
RULE 5.320.OATH OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
RULE 5.330.EXECUTION BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
RULE 5.340.INVENTORY
RULE 5.341.ESTATE INFORMATION
RULE 5.342.INVENTORY OF SAFE-DEPOSIT BOX
RULE 5.3425. SEARCH OF SAFE DEPOSIT BOX
RULE 5.345.ACCOUNTINGS OTHER THAN PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVES’ FINAL ACCOUNTINGS
RULE 5.346.FIDUCIARY ACCOUNTING
RULE 5.350.CONTINUANCE OF UNINCORPORATED BUSINESS OR
VENTURE
RULE 5.355.PROCEEDINGS FOR REVIEW OF EMPLOYMENT OF
AGENTS AND COMPENSATION OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES
AND ESTATE EMPLOYEES
RULE 5.360.ELECTIVE SHARE
RULE 5.365.PETITION FOR DOWER
RULE 5.370.SALES OF REAL PROPERTY WHERE NO POWER
CONFERRED
RULE 5.380.COMPULSORY PAYMENT OF DEVISES OR
DISTRIBUTIVE INTERESTS
RULE 5.385.DETERMINATION OF BENEFICIARIES AND SHARES
RULE 5.386.ESCHEAT
RULE 5.395.NOTICE OF FEDERAL ESTATE TAX RETURN
RULE 5.400.DISTRIBUTION AND DISCHARGE
RULE 5.401.OBJECTIONS TO PETITION FOR DISCHARGE OR
FINAL ACCOUNTING
RULE 5.402.NOTICE OF LIEN ON PROTECTED HOMESTEAD
RULE 5.403.PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE AMOUNT OF LIEN
ON PROTECTED HOMESTEAD
RULE 5.404.NOTICE OF TAKING POSSESSION OF PROTECTED
HOMESTEAD
RULE 5.405.PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE PROTECTED
HOMESTEAD STATUS OF REAL PROPERTY
RULE 5.406.PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE EXEMPT PROPERTY
RULE 5.407.PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE FAMILY ALLOWANCE
RULE 5.420.DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT
ADMINISTRATION
RULE 5.425.DISPOSITION WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION OF
INTESTATE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN SMALL ESTATES
RULE 5.430.RESIGNATION OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE.. 199
RULE 5.440.PROCEEDINGS FOR REMOVAL OF PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE
RULE 5.460.SUBSEQUENT ADMINISTRATION
RULE 5.470.ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION
RULE 5.475.ANCILLARY ADMINISTRATION, SHORT FORM
RULE 5.490.FORM AND MANNER OF PRESENTING CLAIM
RULE 5.496.FORM AND MANNER OF OBJECTING TO CLAIM
RULE 5.498.PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE’S PROOF OF CLAIM
RULE 5.499.FORM AND MANNER OF OBJECTING TO PERSONAL
REPRESENTATIVE’S PROOF OF CLAIM
RULE 5.510.ESTABLISHMENT AND PROBATE OF LOST OR
DESTROYED WILL
RULE 5.530.SUMMARY ADMINISTRATION
PART III — GUARDIANSHIP
RULE 5.540.HEARINGS
RULE 5.541.RECORDING OF HEARINGS
RULE 5.550.PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY
RULE 5.555.GUARDIANSHIPS OF MINORS
RULE 5.552.VOLUNTARY GUARDIANSHIP OF PROPERTY
RULE 5.560.PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN OF AN
INCAPACITATED PERSON
RULE 5.590.APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT AS GUARDIAN;
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT; FILING
RULE 5.600.OATH
RULE 5.610.EXECUTION BY GUARDIAN
RULE 5.620.INVENTORY
RULE 5.625.NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF GUARDIAN EDUCATION
REQUIREMENTS
RULE 5.630.PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF ACTS
RULE 5.631.PETITION FOR APPROVAL BY PROFESSIONAL
GUARDIAN FOR ORDER NOT TO RESUSCITATE OR TO
WITHHOLD LIFE-PROLONGING PROCEDURES
RULE 5.635.PETITION FOR EXTRAORDINARY AUTHORITY
RULE 5.636.SETTLEMENT OF MINORS’ CLAIMS
RULE 5.640.CONTINUANCE OF UNINCORPORATED BUSINESS OR
VENTURE OF WARD
RULE 5.645.MANAGEMENT OF PROPERTY OF NONRESIDENT
WARD BY FOREIGN GUARDIAN
RULE 5.646.STANDBY GUARDIANS
RULE 5.647.SURROGATE GUARDIAN
RULE 5.648.EMERGENCY TEMPORARY GUARDIAN
RULE 5.649.GUARDIAN ADVOCATE
RULE 5.650.RESIGNATION OR DISQUALIFICATION OF
GUARDIAN; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR
RULE 5.660.PROCEEDINGS FOR REMOVAL OF GUARDIAN
RULE 5.670.TERMINATION OF GUARDIANSHIP ON CHANGE OF
DOMICILE OF RESIDENT WARD
RULE 5.680.TERMINATION OF GUARDIANSHIP
RULE 5.681.RESTORATION OF RIGHTS OF PERSON WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
RULE 5.685.DETERMINATION REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO
GUARDIANSHIP
RULE 5.690.INITIAL GUARDIANSHIP REPORT
RULE 5.695.ANNUAL GUARDIANSHIP REPORT
RULE 5.696.GUARDIAN ACCOUNTING
RULE 5.697.MAGISTRATES’ REVIEW OF GUARDIANSHIP
INVENTORIES, ACCOUNTINGS, AND PLANS
RULE 5.700.OBJECTION TO GUARDIANSHIP REPORTS
RULE 5.705.PETITION FOR INTERIM JUDICIAL REVIEW
RULE 5.710.REPORTS OF PUBLIC GUARDIAN
RULE 5.720.COURT MONITOR
RULE 5.725.EMERGENCY COURT MONITOR
RULE 5.800.APPLICATION OF REVISED CHAPTER 744 TO
EXISTING GUARDIANSHIPS
PART IV — EXPEDITED JUDICIAL INTERVENTION CONCERNING
MEDICAL TREATMENT PROCEDURES
RULE 5.900.EXPEDITED JUDICIAL INTERVENTION CONCERNING
MEDICAL TREATMENT PROCEDURES
PART V — FORMS
RULE 5.901.FORM FOR PETITION TO DETERMINE INCAPACITY
RULE 5.902.FORM FOR PETITION AND ORDER OF GUARDIAN 348
RULE 5.903.LETTERS OF GUARDIANSHIP
RULE 5.904.FORMS FOR INITIAL AND ANNUAL GUARDIANSHIP
PLANS
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
RULE 5.905.FORM FOR PETITION; NOTICE; AND ORDER FOR
APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN ADVOCATE OF THE PERSON
RULE 5.906.LETTERS OF GUARDIAN ADVOCACY
RULE 5.910.INVENTORY
RULE 5.920.FORMS RELATED TO INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION
AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF A VULNERABLE ADULT
RULE 5.930.AFFIDAVIT OF QUALIFIED CUSTODIAN OF
ELECTRONIC WILL
CITATIONS TO OPINIONS ADOPTING OR AMENDING RULES
ORIGINAL ADOPTION, effective 1-1-68: 201 So. 2d 409.
OTHER OPINIONS:
Effective Date: Citation Description
1-1-76: 324 So.2d 38. Complete revision (temporary rules).
7-1-77: 344 So.2d 828. Complete revision.
1-1-81: 387 So.2d 949. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.020, 5.040,
5.340, 5.345, 5.400, 5.440, 5.520, 5.540, 5.550,
5.560, 5.570, 5.630, 5.660, 5.690; added 5.205.
1-1-85: 458 So.2d 1079. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.020–5.040,
5.080, 5.110, 5.150, 5.170, 5.180, 5.210, 5.230,
5.240–5.270, 5.340–5.420, 5.440, 5.460–5.490,
5.510–5.560, 5.600, 5.620, 5.660, 5.670; deleted
5.280, 5.290, 5.410, 5.450, 5.500, 5.570; added
5.041, 5.042, 5.065, 5.395, 5.401, 5.405, 5.406.
1-1-85: 460 So.2d 906. Amended 5.340.
12-23-87: 517 So.2d 675. Amended 5.540, 5.560; added 5.710.
1-1-89: 531 So.2d 1261. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.015, 5.025,
5.042, 5.050, 5.080, 5.110, 5.160, 5.180, 5.205–
5.240, 5.270, 5.340, 5.360, 5.400, 5.405–5.420,
5.440, 5.490, 5.510, 5.620, 5.630, 5.650–5.670,
5.690; deleted 5.190, 5.390, 5.540, 5.590; added
5.122, 5.171, 5.201, 5.235, 5.275, 5.346, 5.355,
5.385, 5.386, 5.475, 5.495.
10-1-89: 551 So.2d 452. Amended 5.015, 5.550, 5.560, 5.610–5.660,
5.680–5.700; added 5.590, 5.800.
10-1-91: 584 So.2d 964. Amended 5.010, 5.040, 5.050, 5.240, 5.550,
5.560, 5.590–5.630, 5.650–5.680, 5.700–5.800;
amended and renumbered 5.690 to 5.695;
deleted 5.495; added 5.540, 5.541, 5.555, 5.635,
5.690, 5.696, 5.697, 5.705, 5.900.
1-1-93: 607 So.2d 1306. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.025, 5.120,
5.200, 5.240, 5.260, 5.310, 5.346, 5.400, 5.470,
5.690, 5.695, 5.900; added 5.496, 5.636.
1-1-97: 683 So.2d 78. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.040, 5.041,
5.080, 5.100, 5.180, 5.210, 5.235, 5.240, 5.346,
5.370, 5.400, 5.401, 5.405, 5.406, 5.470, 5.560,
5.590, 5.680.
1-1-01: 778 So.2d 272. Four-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.015, 5.040,
5.041, 5.065, 5.100, 5.110, 5.555, 5.560, 5.705.
10-11-01: 807 So.2d 622, Amended 5.025, 5.340, 5.360; added 5.365.
816 So.2d 1095.
5-2-02, 824 So.2d 849. Amended 5.080, 5.200, 5.205, 5.210, 5.240,
applicable to 5.310, 5.340, 5.345, 5.346, 5.385, 5.405, 5.440,
Effective Date: Citation Description
decedents dying 5.510, 5.530; deleted 5.070, 5.520; added 5.215,
after 5.216, 5.241, 5.341, 5.404.
December 31,
2001:
6-19-03, 848 So.2d 1069. Two-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.122, 5.205,
applicable to 5.240, 5.385, 5.430, 5.496; added 5.342.
decedents
dying after
December 31,
2001:
1-1-04: 848 So.2d 1069. Two-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.555, 5.680;
added 5.407, 5.552.
10-1-04: 887 So.2d 1090. Amended 5.697.
1-1-06: 912 So.2d 1178. Two-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.040, 5.041,
5.042, 5.240, 5.241, 5.270, 5.345, 5.346, 5.360,
5.400, 5.404, 5.475, 5.496, 5.530, 5.620; added
5.402, 5.403, 5.498, 5.499, 5.625.
2-1-07: 948 So.2d 735. Amended 5.180, 5.550, 5.552, 5.555, 5.560,
5.625, 5.630, 5.636, 5.660, 5.680, 5.695; added
5.646, 5.647, 5.685, 5.720, 5.725.
7-12-07: 964 So.2d 140. Amended 5.015, 5.240, 5.241; added 5.648.
1-1-08: 959 So.2d 1170. Three-year-cycle revision. Amended 5.040, 5.041,
5.200, 5.210, 5.241, 5.490, 5.496, 5.498, 5.499,
5.530, 5.650, 5.670, 5.697, 5.710; added 5.095,
5.645.
7-10-08: 986 So.2d 576. Amended 5.015, 5.030, 5.040, 5.050, 5.120,
5.540, 5.541, 5.620, 5.625, 5.640, 5.650, 5.660,
5.680, 5.720; added 5.649, 5.681.
1-1-11: 50 So.3d 578. Three-year cycle review. Amended 5.020, 5.030,
5.040, 5.041, 5.060, 5.110, 5.200, 5.205, 5.210,
5.235, 5.260, 5.330, 5.340, 5.346, 5.360, 5.405,
5.406, 5.440, 5.470, 5.496, 5.696, 5.710, 5.725.
1-1-11: 51 So.3d 1146. Amended 5.201, 5.260, 5.360 and created
5.3425.
7-7-11: 67 So.3d 1035. Amended 5.260.
9-28-11: 73 So.3d 205. Amended 5.025, 5.240.
10-1-11: 78 So.3d 1045. Amended 5.200, 5.210, 5.530.
9-1-12: 102 So.3d 505. Amended 5.030, 5.040, 5.041, 5.060, 5.120.
5.200, 5.340, 5.342, 5.350, 5.355, 5.360, 5.370,
5.380, 5.385, 5.386, 5.400, 5.401, 5.402, 5.403,
5.405, 5.406, 5.407, 5.430, 5.440, 5.460, 5.470,
5.475. 5.496, 5.498, 5.499, 5.510, 5.530, 5.620,
5.630, 5.650, 5.660, 5.670, 5.680, 5.690. 5.695,
5.696, 5.700.
10-1-12: 95 So.3d 96. Amended 5.042.
4-1-13: 102 So.3d 451. Adopted 5.043.
11-27-13: 131 So.3d 717. Amended 5.240 and 5.260.
Effective Date: Citation Description
1-1-14: 123 So.3d 31. Amended: 5.060, 5.110, 5.230, 5.395, 5.400,
5.404, 5.530, 5.649, 5.660, 5.681, 5.696.
Adopted 5.2405.
4-22-14: 139 So.3d 875. Amended: 5.120, 5.200, 5.210, 5.385, 5.405,
5.406, 5.407, 5.530, 5.550, 5.555, 5.560, 5.590,
5.636, 5.646.
11-6-14: 150 So.3d 1100. Amended 5.590.
12-17-15: 181 So.3d 480. Amended 5.240, 5.310, 5.648, 5.695, 5.705.
9-15-16: 200 So.3d 761. Amended 5.050; 5.560; 5.646; 5.648; 5.670,
5.710.
1-1-17: 199 So.3d 835. Amended 5.040, 5.041, 5.042, 5.080, 5.345,
5.346, 5.550, 5.560, 5.620, 5.690, 5.696.
9-7-17: 226 So.3d 245. Amended 5.550, 5.695.
9-27-18: 253 So.3d 983. Amended 5.025.
9-3-20: 301 So.3d 859. Amended 5.550, 5.560, 5.649, 5.900. Adopted
5.901, 5.902, 5.903, 5.904, 5.905, 5.906, 5.910.
9-24-20: 45 FLW S255. Adopted 5.920.
12-31-20: 309 So.3d 196. Amended 5.040, 5.065, 5.240, 5.550, 5.555,
5.560, 5.630, 5.850. Adopted 5.425.
1-1-20: 287 So.3d 492. Amended 5.020, 5.040, 5.200, 5.240, 5.241,
5.275, 5.320, 5.360, 5.407, 5.470, 5.490, 5.499,
5.636, 5.649, 5.681, 5.695, 5.900.
1-16-20: 288 So.3d 565. Amended 5.015, 5.043, 5.120, 5.200, 5.210,
5.215, 5.230.
12-31-20: 309 So.3d 196. Amended 5.040, 5.065, 5.240, 5.550, 5.555,
5.560, 5.630, 5.850. Adopted 5.425.
10-28-21: 344 So.3d 940. Amended 5.030, 5.040, 5.041, 5.042, 5.043,
5.060, 5.080, 5.120, 5.200, 5.210, 5.340, 5.342,
5.350, 5.355, 5.360, 5.370, 5.380, 5.385, 5.386,
5.400, 5.401, 5.402, 5.403, 5.405, 5.406, 5.407,
5.430, 5.440, 5.460, 5.470, 5.475, 5.490, 5.496,
5.498, 5.499, 5.510, 5.530, 5.550, 5.555, 5.560,
5.590, 5.620, 5.630, 5.636, 5.646, 5.650, 5.660,
5.670, 5.680, 5.690, 5.695, 5.696, 5.700.
11-4-21: 334 So.3d 562. Amended 5.020, 5.200, 5.320, 5.340, 5.402,
5.403, 5.404, 5.405, 5.555.
10-1-22: 346 So.3d 1105. Amended 5.080.
4-1-23: 356 So.3d 224. Amended 5.040, 5.330. Adopted 5.930.
12-14-23: 376 So.3d 598. Amended 5.630, 5.649, 5.904, 5.905, 5.906,
5.920. Adopted 5.631.
9-5-24: 393 So.3d 178. Amended 5.240, 5.241, 5.550, 5.681, and 5.905.
10-1-24: 390 So.3d 624. Amended 5.025, 5.340, 5.405.
1-1-25: 397 So.3d 993. Amended 5.320 and 5.550.
2-27-25: SC2024-1057. Amended 5.240, 5.241, and 5.550.
NOTE TO USERS: Rules in this pamphlet are current through the opinion in SC2024-
1057. Subsequent amendments, if any, can be found at
www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/rules.shtml. The Florida Bar also updates the
rules on its website at www.FloridaBar.org (on the homepage click “Rules Updates”).
PART I — GENERAL